Which raises the question, how early is too early to order a double vodka tonic? I ask this because my flight to Southern California today was at 8:30 am. While waiting at my gate prior to boarding, I was casually sipping on an oat milk latte, my usual morning drink of choice. All professional and responsible. Ready to take on the business at hand, answering emails and confirming meetings. So much to do and prepare for as a small business owner.
And then it came time board. I transported from the real morning world of business and crossed into the flight pass travel time world. Some force of nature seemingly grabs hold and takes over when I step onto that plane. It’s as if an alternate dimension exists on the other side of the door, where all sense of time or appropriateness is gone. There’s no “breakfast time” or “it’s too early” thought process. Business trip or vacation day all there is, is a drink cart clamoring along, coming my way. It’s cocktail time!
I learned an invaluable trade secret from a fellow passenger some months back while traveling to Southern California again for business. She and her husband were going to Disneyland for their anniversary without the kids and wound up with seat assignments several rows apart. My first thought was, “What the actual hell?! That’s where you go for alone time?!” And then she enlightened me and I proceeded to forget all about their trip to Disneyland. Who am I to judge, after all? I’m drinking a double for breakfast. Disneyland it is.
Just after introductions and take off, she leaned in and shared with me that the secret to getting your moneys worth when flying priority class is to order a double. A double whatever. A double coke. A double beer. A double vodka tonic. Priority class comes with a minimal upgrade fee and includes complimentary adult beverages.The flights to So Cal are just over an hour, so time truly is of the essence. Rookies order a drink and assume the flight attendant will be back with her cart. Veterans know better. The flight attendants make one go around and you’ve got to make it count!
Since that fateful flight with the helpful co-passenger, I’ve taken her advice and ordered a double without much of a second thought. Until today that is. Today felt different. While I was excitedly waiting for my mini vodkas and crystalized lime packs to sprinkle into that bubbly tonic, everybody else was ordering coffee or orange juice. It slowly became evident to me that I was the only one on the plane that day who had been transported to airplane mode. Where cocktails flow with no regard for time or place or what’s happening after the plane lands.
I tried to project an air of “don’t worry, I know what I’m doing and I’m definitely allowed to do it” but the woman sitting next to me with her lousy box of complimentary water was killing my vibe. Obviously, there was no turning back. I decided I wasn’t going to let boxed water lady make me feel bad about my life choices. So I cracked open my minis and went to town mixing my breakfast beverage. As I sat sipping and munching on tiny pretzels, I caught a glimpse of a passenger in first class flagging down the flight attendant. To my sheer delight, moments later, that flight attendant delivered a glass of champagne to that seat. Vindication! It was no mimosa, the accepted drink of breakfast, it was straight champagne. My traveling soul sister had been found. She too was in airplane mode and making good use of her complimentary beverage service. I’ve decided for my next flight I will be wearing my “Drinks well with others” tee so I’m easily identifiable. Keep on the watch for me next time you’re flying out of the Sonoma County Airport. I’ll be the one ordering a double. Cheers!
